After an entertaining start to the US Open, the action will continue on day two with 32 intriguing first-round matches on the slate. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Viktorija Golubic vs Bianca Andreescu, Karolina Pliskova vs Catherine McNally, Emma Raducanu vs Jennifer Brady, Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari, Jamie Loeb vs Iga Swiatek, Petra Kvitova vs Polona Hercog and Anett Kontaveit vs Samantha Stosur. But who will reach the second round?
US Open Day 2 Predictions
Ashleigh Barty vs Vera Zvonareva
Jim: The US Open is the only Major at which Ashleigh Barty has not yet reached the quarterfinals. But that looks likely to change over the coming fortnight. The Australian arrives in New York in good form and whilst Vera Zvonareva should not be underestimated – she is a former-finalist at the US Open after all – it would be a major surprise if she beats Barty here.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Jack: Zvonareva is a pretty tough first round for Barty. The former world #2 was able to beat Kvitova earlier this year and may still have some gas left in the tank for one more year on tour. After watching Barty in Cincinnati, however, it doesn’t matter what mood Zvonareva shows up in – the world #1’s base-level is miles ahead of the rest of the tour.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Fraser: This should be a relatively straightforward start to the US Open for Barty. She has been the best player in the women’s game by a distance this year. Zvonareva is past her best and hasn’t done anything worth mentioning on the tour so far this year. No woman has won multiple Grand Slams in the same year since Angelique Kerber in 2016, but Barty looks like a player poised to change that. She should win comfortably here and get what should be a long campaign at Flushing Meadows underway.
Prediction: Barty in 2
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Shelby Rogers vs Madison Brengle
Jim: Shelby Rogers is quite capable of going deep at just about any tournament, the problem for the American is consistency. She certainly looks a long way from being able to repeat her run to the quarterfinals last year, having won only one of her last five matches and that via Danielle Collins’ mid-match retirement. That said, Madison Brengle has hardly been in sparkling form either and Rogers surely has the higher ceiling of the two.
Prediction: Rogers in 3
Jack: Rogers has been the more consistent of herself and Madison Brengle recently, at least at tour-level, and, as a quarterfinalist last season, she clearly enjoys the courts in Flushing Meadows more than her compatriot. The sets might be tight but I don’t see it going the distance.
Prediction: Rogers in 2
Fraser: An All-American affair in the first round should make for some good tennis. Rogers is undoubtedly the better player of the two, but Brengle has put together some decent runs so far in 2021 and is capable of playing good consistent tennis more often than not. If Rogers is at her best she wins comfortably here, but I suspect this match may have more to it than that. Rogers should advance, but I don’t think it will be straightforward.
Prediction: Rogers in 3
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Misaki Doi vs Storm Sanders
Jim: This looks like a winnable match for both players. But it is Storm Sanders who has been playing the better tennis of late, last time out reaching the quarterfinals at the WTA 125 Chicago Open. Misaki Doi, in contrast, has not won a match since beating Anna Danilina in the first round in Bad Homburg in June.
Prediction: Sanders in 3
Jack: Sanders was awarded a wild card into the draw for a reason. Though she hasn’t had any massive wins this year, her ranking maybe a little undercut by the pandemic and she has had a steady year. The diminutive Doi has been less impressive this year and entered the main draw by the skin of her teeth. Expect the wild card to take advantage of the opportunity.
Prediction: Sanders in 2
Fraser: This is a tough match to call. Neither is in great form at the moment and both are of a relatively similar level despite the 40 ranking spots between them. Sanders started the year incredibly well but has cooled off quite dramatically since while Doi has more experience at this level. I think that counts in her favour here. Expect the Japanese #3 to be the player to move on.
Prediction: Doi in 3
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Sorana Cirstea vs Veronika Kudermetova
Jim: Veronika Kudermetova made an excellent start to the season, but her form has cooled off since and she arrives at the US Open having failed to advance beyond the second round at any of her last six tournaments. But Sorana Cirstea has found wins even harder to come by and the conditions favour Kudermetova’s game more than her own.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Jack: At similar spots in the rankings and in similar veins of form, Cirstea versus Kudermetova is a difficult one to call. But on a hard court, my gut-feeling is to go with Kudermetova, who should get a few more easy points on serve than her opponent.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Fraser: This should be a great match, Cirstea is enjoying a career year in 2021 whilst Kudermetova continues to slowly edge her way up the rankings. Both have immense shot-making abilities, with Cirstea’s backhand being particularly dangerous when she’s on song. Kudermetova is slightly more polished and has a better serve which I think gives her an edge on these courts. This could go either way, but I’m going to give the edge to the Russian on that basis.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
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